Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm not much into balls mainly because I cant afford any LOL.
But I see female normals forsale ALL the time. Now I know you you these to breed your Com-Doms to.
But where are all the normal males? What do ya do with them?
Are balls temp sexed durning incubation? Is that why there arent any normal males?
Thanks
Chris Flowers

I give away any normal males that hatch. I always seem to know people that are interested in getting a ball python but really have no desire to ever breed or spend the extra money on a morph. Plus, it can end up costing more to advertise for normal males than what you get out of them. Local pet stores (the mom-and-pop shops) will sometimes even do a trade for rats... so I can sometimes break even with them.

Their sex is determined by their genes not their incubation temperature.

pet stores get most of them---

and... you give away male balls... I would love in on a peice of that- lol--- I have people lined up out the door for balls...

~B
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

I give away normal males to people that just want a pet. It is also a good way to gain more interest in other morphs or reptiles in general. It only takes one small rock to start an avalanche. By providing someone with a free male, you may just start the next addicted hobbyist. lol. If not, then you just made someone's day with a gift. If I know someone is going to take good care of the animals, I have no problem sending males to good homes. I just like to see people happy and eager to accept a new member into their family.

I've been an addict for 20 years and I've never touched drugs. lol.

Brandon
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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

I've often given away free males too. However, I've noticed an odd thing sometimes. It seems to me that people who get a free snake don't seem to value the animal as much as one they'll pay for, and sometimes won't care for it as well. I don't know why this is, but it does often seem to be true.

These days I usually charge a small fee of $10.00-$15.00 each. If they can't come up with that small amount of change, how are they planning on feeding and housing it? If they really can't spare that amount, then fine I'll give them one. But they've got to promise me that they'll take good care of him.

Most of the time when I give away a male, I find that the future keeper doesn't even have a "home" to place him in. I usually end up going with them to help them select the supplies and housing that are the most appropriate and to help them avoid items that are either dangerous or a complete waste of money.

In the end, (depending on how "extravagant" they get) they can end up spending $90-$140 on everything they need (combined with some of the things they want).

So, even though they are getting a free snake, they still have to open their wallet for everything else. Plus, I get a chance to walk them through some of the basics and point them in the right direction if they ever have more questions.

That is so cool!!

I love when we adopt out snakes and animals to families-- the parents adopt but the kids are thrilled-- I love it!

~Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

geeeeesh..I wish someone would have given me my normal males...I paid 89 for one 79 for another...and the last one I paid 20 bucks for

ya, I would love a free ball. usually the only places near me that have balls are petco and if I can get my dad to drive a little ways NERDs and they are usually $90 at petco and $40 at NERDs, although they are on sale at petco for $30 right now which isn't to bad of a price I think.

>>I've often given away free males too. However, I've noticed an odd thing sometimes. It seems to me that people who get a free snake don't seem to value the animal as much as one they'll pay for, and sometimes won't care for it as well. I don't know why this is, but it does often seem to be true.
>>
>>These days I usually charge a small fee of $10.00-$15.00 each. If they can't come up with that small amount of change, how are they planning on feeding and housing it? If they really can't spare that amount, then fine I'll give them one. But they've got to promise me that they'll take good care of him.

I should probably add, this is on a individual basis. I have also flat out refused to sell babies to people I didn't think would be good keepers. When I give normal males away, I make the people receiving the animal do their homework first. It is not just "here, do you want this snake?" It is more like, "you want a snake? Do some homework and I will give you one." If they start asking me questions, I'll tell them to read as much info as possible and then come back to me. If they really want the animal, they will do so. If not, I don't ever hear from them again. When they do come back to me, I question them on the care. Even though these are $10 snakes, they still deserve a caring home.

Brandon Osborne
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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

Most of them we donate to schools. A lot of schools have science classes that have pets in them so this works great! And it helps educate the kids so when they grow up they wont be on the wrong side of our industry ban issues lol.

The rest i give away to kids at shows, the ones you can tell will actually take care of them! ( meaning parents that are interested too =)

Jon
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Thanks
Jon Dvoretz
Next World Exotics
www.nextworldexotics.com

The Hunters Guide to the Morphs
www.nextworldexotics.com/hg.htm